Job Detail

for Individual Major Donors in German speaking Switzerland and Liechtenstein

9 months, 100%

Context

MSF is a non-profit, international, independent, medical-humanitarian organization providing assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. MSF’s teams are made up of health professionals, logisticians and administrative personnel, guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality. MSF was founded in 1971 in Paris by a group of journalists and doctors. Today, it is a worldwide movement of more than 42,000 people, including staff in headquarters and in the field.

MSF Switzerland was created in 1981 and it is headquartered in Geneva. The Philanthropy Unit is one of the seven units at the Communications and Fundraising Department. It is composed of 15 people and it raised CHF 70M in 2019. To ensure a good geographical coverage of the Swiss fundraising market, the Unit is divided into two offices: Geneva and Zurich. The Unit’s mission is to strengthen MSF’s relationship with its private major supporters, including wealthy individuals, companies, foundations, and other philanthropic organisations. It also manages grants and donations from Swiss cantons and communes. Last but not least, it is also in charge of legacy fundraising, including management of heritages as well as contacts with potential legators and confirmed bequestors.

Responsibility

The Team Coordinator and Philanthropy Advisor for individual major donors in German speaking Switzerland and Liechtenstein is a key position in the Philanthropy Unit. S/he is personally responsible for raising funds from individual major donors in German speaking Switzerland and Liechtenstein and coordinates individual major donors fundraising in the whole Switzerland, by managing a team of Philanthropy Advisors for that purpose, including Zurich and Geneva. With the Head of Unit, s/he’s in charge of designing the general strategy and guarantees the implementation of annual action plans for each portfolio of major donors.

The Team Coordinator and Philanthropy Advisor will secure and grow income for MSF from individual major donors in German speaking Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Expected income: from CHF6M to CHF10M per year.

Main tasks

Strategy and action plan

• In accordance with the Head of unit, steer and coordinate the strategy for individual major donors fundraising in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.


• Develop and implement an individually donor-tailored action plan for the renewal or upgrading of contributions from current major donors and for the acquisition of new ones.


• Contribute to the strategic mapping and general annual plan of action of the Communications and Fundraising Department.

Cultivation and stewardship

• Prepare and facilitate one to one meetings, calls, presentations and other meaningful interactions with major donors or representatives (lawyers, wealth managers, etc.) 


• After prospection, establish relations with new potential major donors, including ultra-high-net-worth individuals, to secure significant future support for MSF’s work 


• Interact and collaborate with key managers within MSF (President, General Director, Director of Operations, other management team members), as well as field staff, with the aim of bringing donors closer to the organisation in an attempt to show them our live saving mission and work in the projects.


• Define, propose and organise field visits for major donors, according to MSF approved criteria and policies.


• Ensure that the moves management runs smoothly, and donors are thanked and steward properly.


• Liaise with Writing Officers for the preparation, including proof reading and editing, of project briefings, reports, proposals, slideshows, infographics and any other creative way of presenting MSF and its mission to high net worth individuals.

Solicitation

• Present and defend MSF’s cases for support to individual major donors in German speaking Switzerland.


• Ensure that the major donors journey strategy is followed and that major donors are solicited according to their motivations in a personalised way.

Team coordination and management 

• Supervise and guide the work of 2 Philanthropy Advisors for individual major donors in Geneva and Zurich. 


• Plan annual quantitative (revenue) and qualitative objectives of the members of her/his team in agreement with the Head of the unit.


• Monitor the team's activity on a daily basis, set their priorities and provide the necessary support and coaching 


• Propose and implement tools to increase the efficiency of her/his team's activity, including improving procedures and promoting best practices


• Identify Human Resources needs (employees, trainees, volunteers) within her/his and with the head of the unit ensure their recruitment

Others

• Actively participate in the International Working Group of Major Donors at MSF movement level.


• Represent MSF in Swiss Fundraising events and other professional gatherings with peer professionals from other organisations and entities.


• Work proactively on projects as needed in the Unit, upon request by her/his supervisor.

Education

• University degree in Business Management, Marketing, Communications, Political Science, Law, International Relations or equivalent

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in similar functions or in the fields of marketing/sales/communication/journalism or high-level relational skills, like public relations or wealth management


• Humanitarian experience: a plus

Competencies

• Proven writing skills (drafting and editing)


• Excellent in oral public presentations


• Excellent knowledge of the Windows environment (Word, Excel, Power Point) and databases

Languages

• Fluent in both (Swiss-) German and English


• Good understanding of French


• Italian : a plus

Personal qualities

• Excellent interpersonal skills


• Negotiation and persuasive skills 


• Dynamic, proactive and autonomous 


• Rigorous and good organizational skills


• Empathic, enthusiastic, optimistic


• Team spirit

Terms of Employment

• Fixed-term contract of 9 months, 100%


• Based in Zürich


• Ideal starting date : mid-August 2020


• Gross annual salary: from CHF 90’576.- to CHF 103’932.- (salary commensurate with experience and according to internal salary grid)

How to apply

Candidates submit their application following the requirements:  CV 2 p. max. – letter of motivation 1p. max. – in English only.

Closing date for application is 19th July 2020.

The applications will be treated confidentially.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.